Question - Does Iblees have freedom of will? Why is he eager to mislead people?

After a lot of thinking I began to question the Shaytaan's character. This question might tend to limits, but I was wondering why, if he knows his final destination is Hell, does he strive to do evil? -As he is, afterall, one among the Jinns. Humans divert to evil under the influence of the Shaytaan, but under what influence does the Shaytaan do evil? Why? -Does he not know, with firm confirmation (as he has communicated with Allah) that he is fuel for Hell? As he is a Jinn, does not he, like Humans, have the freedom of choice?.

Answer

Praise be to Allaah.

Iblees and other jinn, and humans, have free will and freedom of choice, to obey Allaah or to disobey Him, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

Allaah commanded Iblees to prostrate to Adam, but he refused and was arrogant, and was one of the kaafirs. So Allaah expelled him from His mercy, and cursed him until the Day of Judgement.

Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And (remember) when We said to the angels: ‘Prostrate yourselves before Adam.’ And they prostrated except Iblees (Satan), he refused and was proud and was one of the disbelievers (disobedient to Allaah)”

[al-Baqarah 2:34]

“So the angels prostrated themselves, all of them together.

Except Iblees (Satan) — he refused to be among the prostrators.

(Allaah) said: ‘O Iblees (Satan)! What is your reason for not being among the prostrators?’

[Iblees (Satan)] said: ‘I am not the one to prostrate myself to a human being, whom You created from dried (sounding) clay of altered mud.’

(Allaah) said: ‘Then, get out from here, for verily, you are Rajeem (an outcast or a cursed one).

And verily, the curse shall be upon you till the Day of Recompense (i.e. the Day of Resurrection).”

[al-Hijr 15:30-35]

Then Iblees asked for a respite until the Day of Resurrection, and Allaah granted him that.

Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“[Iblees (Satan)] said: ‘O my Lord! Give me then respite till the Day they (the dead) will be resurrected.’

Allaah said: ‘Then verily, you are of those reprieved,

Till the Day of the time appointed’”

[al-Hijr 15:36-38]

When Iblees was certain that he is one of those who are doomed, as well as his being arrogant and being ungrateful to his Lord, he resolved to mislead whomever he could of the slaves of Allaah, so that they would be with him in Hell.

Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“[Iblees (Satan)] said: ‘O my Lord! Because You misled me, I shall indeed adorn the path of error for them (mankind) on the earth, and I shall mislead them all.

Except Your chosen, (guided) slaves among them.’”

[al-Hijr 15:39, 40]

He is eager to mislead and corrupt, so as to increase the numbers of his followers and worshippers among the doomed who will share his fate.

Iblees knows that his destination is the Fire, and he hopes to take everyone else with him to Hell, out of envy, hatred, kufr and stubbornness.

He hates mankind, who are the children of Adam (peace be upon him), and he is hostile towards them because he is cursed and has been banished from the mercy of Allaah because of his refusal to prostrate to their father Adam. Hence Allaah has warned His slaves against him and has said:

“Surely, Shaytaan (Satan) is an enemy to you, so take (treat) him as an enemy. He only invites his Hizb (followers) that they may become the dwellers of the blazing Fire”

[Faatir 35:6]

Iblees does not need anyone to whisper to him, because he is the source of all evil.

The believer can be saved from his plots and traps by obeying his Lord and adhering to His religion, for the Shaytaan has no power over those who believe, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“So when you want to recite the Qur’aan, seek refuge with Allaah from Shaytaan (Satan), the outcast (the cursed one).

Verily, he has no power over those who believe and put their trust only in their Lord (Allaah).

His power is only over those who obey and follow him (Satan), and those who join partners with Him (Allaah, i.e. those who are Mushrikoon, i.e., polytheists)”